The William Penn Foundation
EVALUATION OF THE PHILADELPHIA ARTS IN EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP (PAEP)
PSA assessed the effects of the Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership’s (PAEP) professional development and grant-making activities on classroom teachers, artists, principals, and arts organizations. Data collection included surveys, focus groups of participants, and interviews with grantees and staff. Study findings indicated that PAEP promoted and strengthened the quality of arts-based education by creating collaborations among participants. Its grant program positively affected teachers' professional practice and instilled a lasting commitment to arts-based education. Program participants experienced challenges in engaging non-participating colleagues in arts-based teaching, however. This finding suggests the need to incorporate techniques for building support for arts-based education into PAEP's professional development strategies.